Dynamo Kyiv vs Porto – Match preview and live stream information
Returning to the UEFA Champions League after an absence of two years, FC Dynamo Kyiv are looking to turn the tables on an FC Porto side who have not lost in six visits to Ukraine.
Dynamo has last year in the national championship finally managed to break the five-year domination of Shakhtar with great performance which ultimately ended the championship undefeated and with only 10 goals received.
As for the new season, they are entering with a lot of changes in the team, especially in attack where they remained without the great Mbokani and Lens, but still managed to retain their biggest star Yarmolenko, while in this part of the team they brought Gonzalez from Basel and experienced striker Junior Moraes from Metalurg.
But in spite of that they were at the start of the Super Cup of Ukraine defeated with 2-0 by Shakhtar, while they in the championship still played much better, and in seven rounds recorded six wins and one draw and therefore are at the moment holding the leading position in the table.
As for Porto, they are unlike Dynamo for the second consecutive year ceded the championship title in the domestic league to their biggest rival Benfica, but they have also won direct placement in the Champions League as the second ranked team, which is for them probably the most important. The team came all the way to the quarterfinals last season.
Certainly their biggest rival for that second place in the group should nevertheless be Dynamo. They opened the new season quite good, with three wins and one draw so they are now holding the first place with Sporting.
The visitors may be slight favorites, boasting an impressive away record in Europe and greater experience in the Champions League.
Match facats
• Dynamo Kyiv have hosted Porto twice before in this competition; failing to win either game (D1 L1).
• Porto are unbeaten in three Champions League matches against Dynamo Kyiv (W2 D1).
• Dynamo Kyiv are taking part in their 15th Champions League campaign, and their first since 2012/13, more than any other Ukrainian club.
• Kyiv have not made it past the group stages in any of their last 11 Champions League participation.
• Dynamo Kyiv have won only four of their last 31 Champions League games (D8 L19).
• Kyiv’s best performance to date in the Champions League dates back to 1998/99 when they reached the semi-finals only to be knocked out by Bayern Munich.
• Porto have qualified for their 20th Champions League campaign (since 1992/93), the joint-highest tally with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester Utd.
• Porto have won the European Cup/Champions League on two occasions: 1987 2004.
Head to head
The teams have met on six occasions, all in the European Cup, and have faced off twice in the group stage in recent years. They each won away in 2008/09, before Porto prevailed 3-2 at home and drew 0-0 away in 2012/13.
In last five matches, Dynamo Kyiv won 3, lost 1 and draw 1, while Porto won 3 and draw 2 matches. Statisticaly, Porto is in better shape then his arrival.
Team news
For Dynamo Kyiv, Danilo Silva and Domagoj Vida are in competition to start at right-back, though the latter could also move to centre-back at the expense of Khacheridi.
Sergei Rebrov has plenty of options in midfield, with the likes of Garmash, Belhanda and Kranjcar all competing for places in attacking positions too.
Having only recently returned to training following a broken fibula Lukasz Teodorczyk is likely to be eased back into action.
Porto’s defender Ivan Marcano is suspended for the trip to Ukraine, while manager Julen Lopetegui is also facing a touchline ban for Wednesday’s game.
Bruno Martins Indi should come into the side in place of the suspended Spaniard, while summer signing Miguel Layun may continue to play at left-back.
Having scored twice on his league debut at the weekend Mexican international Jesus Corona should keep his place in a front three with Aboubakar and Brahimi.
Possible Line-Ups:
Dynamo: Shovkovskiy; Danilo Silva, Dragovic, Khacheridi, Antunes; Rybalka, Veloso, Garmash, González, Yarmolenko; Moraes.
Porto: Casillas; Maxi Pereira, Maicon, Martins Indi, Layun; Danilo, Herrera, Imbulla; Tello, Aboubakar, Brahimi.
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